Green Men

Green Men started out as pagan symbols of fertility and life. Another of those ancient symbols integrated in Christian life, the pictures I found of them were taken in the Rosslyn Chapel and in another cathedral. They've been around hundreds of years and have evolved into commonplace garden ornaments? Uh, huh, that's where you've seen them--the carved faces looking out from trees or rocks. Okay, I made that connection myself, so it might not be the case. Still, it seems like a pretty obvious connection once you see the pictures. The green men in the Rosslyn Chapel are shown as they progress through the stages of life. On one side of the chapel, they have babyish faces and their vines are mere shoots. There are adults in the prime of life, with mature faces and lush foliage. At the end of the cycle, there are just skulls with dried up leaves. I can't wait to find out more about them, and I had to make my glass versions as soon as I stumbled across them. Here they are. Fancy names and descriptions? No. Personalities? Oh, yes, definitely!